Device for estimating the board foot contents of standing trees



f E. c. oYLER DEVICEv FOR ESTINATING THE BOARD FooTv v coNTENTs oFSTANDING TREES l Filed Nov. s, 195o K oa. s, 1953 2,654,153 t n Trek/vsy.:

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING THE BOARD FOOT CONTENTS OFSTANDING TREES Emory C. Oyler, Chambersburg',` Pa.

Application November 3, 1950, Serial No. 193,886

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a device for estimating the board footcontents of standing tim-ber.

An object of this invention is to provide a board footcontent-estimating device which is particularly adapted for use in theleld with speed and facility to ascertain the yield of a standing tree.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for estimatingthe board foot contents of standing timber which is compact and easilyportable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device for estimatingthe board foot contents of standing timber whichvis very simple instructure and cheap to manufacture.

The above and still further objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the invention, when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

The ligure is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of the estimatingdevice of the present invention shown in position for measuring thebreast height diameter of a standing tree, the tree being shown insection.

Standing trees are irregular objects, and accordingly, it is virtuallyimpossible to find the exact content of trees without felling. Toobviate this diiculty, volume tables based upon definite measurements ofthe tree have been computed. Practically all tables in general use forboard foot determinations are designed to show yields of trees measuredby the diameter at breast height outside bark, and the mechantable trunklength. The breast height standard for all trees is selected at four andone-half feet above the ground. In using the tables, it is necessary toestimate the length of mechandisable trunk and to measure the breastheight diameter of the tree. Using the breast height diameter expressedin inches, and the usable trunk length in multiples of 16-foot sections,the board foot content of a particular species of tree can be readilyascertained.

Referring now with particularity to the drawing, there is shown theestimating device of the present invention, generally designated by thereference numeral II), in position for measuring the breast heightdiameter of a tree II. The device I0 includes a body I2 having two legsI3 and I4 disposed at right angles with respect to each other andconnected together to form a square having straight edges I5 and I6meeting at a reference point I`I` lil The leg I4 of the square isprovided at spaced intervals along its length with transverse markingsI8, each of the markings being provided With suitable indicia I9 formeasuring the breast height diameter of the standing tree II. Similarly,the leg I3 is provided with transverse markings 2a at spaced intervalsalong its length, each of the markings being provided with suitableindicia 2l for measuring the breast height diameter of the standing treeIl in inch units. It is to be noted that the leg I3 is somewhat longerthan the leg I4 and provides the diameter measurement for trees overtwelve inches in diameter.

The leg I3 of the square is provided with further indicia contiguous tothe diameter-indicating indicia 20 and 2i for indicating the board footcontents of a predetermined length of a tree having a breast heightdiameter equal to the diameter-indicating indicia adjacent thereto. Aspreviously pointed out, the usable trunk length is expressed inmultiples of 16-foot sections. The board foot content indicia, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 23 includes individual indicia forindicating the board foot contents of multiples of the predeterminedlength of the tree having a breast height diameter equal to thediameter-indicating indicia adjacent thereto. For example, if the breastheight diameter of the tree to be estimated for board foot contents isten inches, the indicia adjacent the line representing a diameter of teninches is consulted, and it is quickly and readily ascertained that one16-foot section will yield thirty board feet, two 16-foot sections willyield sixty board feet, and three 16- foot sections will yield ninetyboard feet. Suitable volume tables for providing indicia 23 contiguousto each of the diameter markings can be obtained for various species oftrees from the United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture,Washington, D. C.

The leg I3 of the body I2 is longitudinally cut away, as indicated bythe reference numeral 25. to form a hand grip 26, facilitating themanual grasping of the estimator IIJ for use in the leld.

In estimating for board feet content, it is generally considered thatthe smallest tree worth Vmeasuring is one having a breast heightdiameter of approximately ten inches. The trees below this size yieldvery little lumber and obviously, the cost of converting them to lumberis usually higher than the value of their board foot content. Theestimator obtains the two measurements of the tree, namely, thediameter, breast height outside the bark in inches. If the tree islopsided, the estimator obtains an average diameter. Also, the length ofthe trunk from a puim-l approximately one foot from the ground to theplace Where utilization of log material will stop is obtained, the trunklength being computed in a number of 16-foot sections, better known aslogs. It is seldom necessary to gure down to onehalf log lengths, exceptin very short trees. In using the estimator l0, it is merely necessaryto look to tlie adjacent' board fot indicating indicia 23 afterobtaining the breast height diameter. Having previously ascertained thenumber of usable logs, the desired data is readily available to theestimator.

though only one embodiment of the estimator of the present invention hasbeen de'- scribed, it is readily apparent that numerous modificationscan be made Without departing` ate their ends, against tree trunks ofsubstan` tial diameter, Wi'thsaid intermediate portions of the legsengaging the trunk at points spaced approximately 90 degreesl apartabout the circumference of the trunk, each leg being provided withindicia spaced longitudinally thereof and arranged to denote, at thetree-engaging portions of the legs, the breast height diameter of themeasured trunk, the indicia of each leg matching those of the other legto insure the accurate placement of the legs against said trunk, one ofsaid legs having additional indicia associated with the rst namedindicia and denoting the board feet contents of the trunk in multiplesof predetermined log lengths to be cut from the tree, said legs havingwidened inner end portions extending to the juncture of the legs and oneof said inner end portions having a longitudinal slot formed thereinAdefining a hand grip for holding the legs iti atrunk-engaging position.

EMORY C. OYLER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 383,660 Marr Mar. 31, 1908 991,478 Castro May 9, 19111,305,562 Paulsen June a, 1919 1,615,013 Kimball Jan. 18, 1927 2,059,50Hinson Nov'. 3, i936 2,042,213 Ducey May 26, 1936 2,5098 Lindsei,r Apr.11, 1950

